GSE IS OMG

Electric rallying inspires Opel's newest opus

- BY JUSTIN DELANEY

EMOKKATIVE The new Opel Mokka GSE VISCERAL The GSE Rally

Opel's GSE badge has always signalled everyday performance you can use. Those of a certain vintage will recall when the letters first appeared in the seventies and eighties on fast road cars that paired lively power with spacious comfort. In the electric era Opel has now revived GSE as a promise of high performance in series production, and the first model to carry that promise is the Mokka GSE.

It borrows engineering and spirit from the brand's electric rally programme and aims to bring a little special-stage theatre to your daily commute.

The first thing we noticed was the styling and I think it's safe to say, the visuals leave no doubt about this vehicle's intent. The GSE treatment sharpens the familiar Mokka lines with motorsport-inspired inserts for the front apron and rear and new aerodynamically optimised twenty-inch alloys wrapped in glorious Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres.

Giant yellow four-piston brake callipers peer through the spokes at the front whilst yellow and black GSE lettering looks great on the grille and side flanks. It looks like it means business without shouting about it, if that makes sense!

Inside, the sporty theme continues. Comfortable Alcantara performance seats with integrated headrests hold you in place and a white centre stripe with yellow stitching adds just enough sportiness. The flat-topped and bottomed steering wheel is paired with a revised steering system that gives direct feedback without jitter.

Aluminium pedals sit ready for heel-and-toe style inputs even though there are no gears to rattle through!